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NEWS IN CHINA

• China Plans to Expand Shanghai FTZ Model Nationwide: At a recent State Council Information Office briefing, officials from the Ministry of Commerce, the Shanghai government, the People’s Bank of China and Customs department detailed the outcomes of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone's (FTZ) efforts to align with international high-standard economic and trade rules. Assistant Minister of Commerce Tang Wenhong revealed that 77 high-level pilot measures, proven effective in Shanghai, will now be rolled out across the country as a part of China’s broader strategy to deepen institutional opening-up and reinforce its commitment to global trade norms. Of the 80 measures initially implemented in Shanghai FTZ since November 2023, the State Council has now authorized 77 measures to be mature enough for broader implementation; 34 will extend to other free trade zones, and 43 will be adopted nationwide. These reforms span seven crucial areas, including service trade, goods trade, digital trade governance, intellectual property protection, government procurement, "behind the border" regulatory reforms, and risk prevention. For instance, measures promoting cross-border electronic payments and data security certification will now be implemented nationwide, while others optimizing cross-border fund management will expand to other FTZs. The Ministry of Commerce will oversee the rollout in collaboration with local authorities, ensuring localized and enterprise-focused implementation.

• China Promotes Graduate Employment with Wide-Ranging Support: China's Ministry of Education, in coordination with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance, has unveiled extensive measures to promote employment for college graduates, prioritizing roles in private enterprises and grassroots sectors. The initiatives include extending one-time employment subsidies to social organizations, alongside tax incentives, job expansion grants and guaranteed loans to encourage smaller businesses to hire. Jobs are also being created in emerging industries, rural regions and State-owned enterprises. Provinces like Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Sichuan and Jiangxi are creating thousands of localized opportunities, including village-level coordinators and public service positions. Shanxi created 26,000 new jobs; Inner Mongolia recruited 5,000 community volunteers; Henan hired 5,000 rural coordinators and Sichuan opened 40,000 jobs in justice. Furthermore, a focus on targeted support includes job matching services, one-on-one mentorship for vulnerable graduates, extensive training and placement programs. Over 100,000 students from the class of 2025 have completed training, and 1,124 job fairs have offered over 1.1 million positions. Authorities have called for continued support and vocational training as the graduation season peaks.

• China Witnesses Simultaneous Intense Heatwave and Torrential Rains: China is currently witnessing one of the strongest heatwaves of the year, with central and eastern regions bracing for peak temperatures over the next few days. The National Meteorological Center has issued a high-temperature yellow alert, forecasting highs exceeding 40°C in parts of Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Hubei and Zhejiang. Major cities like Jinan, Zhengzhou and Wuhan anticipate consecutive days of scorching heat, while Hangzhou could hit an unprecedented 40°C on July 6, potentially breaking early-season records. In a stark contrast, the same weather system is fueling severe rainfall on its periphery. Heavy downpours have already battered western parts of the Sichuan Basin, the Liaodong Peninsula, and several northern provinces, with exceptionally heavy rain hitting areas like Mianyang and Chengdu on Friday. The National Meteorological Center predicts continued heavy rainfall in Sichuan and Inner Mongolia, along with moderate to heavy rains in parts of Northwest China, North China and Hainan. Residents in affected areas are being advised to take immediate precautions.

• Wang Yi Emphasizes Cooperation in China-EU Relations: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently expressed that China-EU relations, marking 50 years, should be fundamentally defined by partnership and cooperation. Speaking alongside his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Berlin, Wang underscored that their ties have matured into a comprehensive strategic partnership. He urged both sides to leverage the 50th anniversary to reaffirm a relationship built on cooperation, independence and mutual benefit, fostering a more resilient, autonomous and visionary future through high-level exchanges. Wang also cautioned against efforts to undermine China-EU relations through exaggeration on some issues, anti-China prejudice or by securitizing economic issues. He reaffirmed China's consistent support for European integration, strategic autonomy and Europe's role in a multipolar world. Prioritizing diplomacy over force in disputes, Wang concluded that China's development promotes global peace, inviting all nations including European countries to cooperate in building a ‘community with a shared future for mankind’.

• Henan Launches Ambitious Carbon Footprint Certification Program: Henan Province has recently issued the Product Carbon Footprint Labeling and Certification Pilot Work Plan (2025-2027) to promote a green and low-carbon industrial future. This initiative, a collaboration between the Henan Provincial Market Supervision Bureau and other key provincial departments, aims to accelerate sustainable transformation across industries. The plan sets clear goals for explosion-proof electrical and motor products; more than 10 such products will undergo carbon footprint accounting by 2025, over 18 are expected to achieve certification by 2026, and this number is expected to exceed 30 by 2027. The objective is to significantly reduce carbon emissions throughout these products' lifecycles, establishing at least three successful case studies. The pilot focuses on seven key areas, including ensuring data integrity, enhancing technical support and standards, bolstering certification credibility, guiding corporate responsibility, promoting the adoption of certified green products, expanding the program to include vital sectors like steel and lithium batteries, and fostering international alignment for global competitiveness. This program is expected to boost the global recognition and competitiveness of Henan's products, positioning the province as a "low-carbon economic highland".

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

• Netizens and President Xi Praise a 92-year Old Actor’s Decision to Join CPC: Recently, a  92-year-old You Benchang, a celebrated actor from the National Theatre, has joined the Communist Party of China (CPC). This significant step has garnered widespread admiration from netizens and earned him personal appreciation from President Xi Jinping. President Xi expressed his immense pleasure at You Benchang's decision to join the Party at such an advanced age, highlighting the actor's profound dedication. You Benchang boasts a remarkable career spanning over seven decades, beloved for roles like his iconic portrayal in "Ji Gong". After a long-held aspiration to join the Party, he formally applied in early 2024, becoming a probationary member in May 2025 and taking his oath just before July 1. You Benchang's dedication has deeply resonated with the public, with many netizens praising his commitment. A widely shared comment on Weibo reflects this sentiment, expressing hope that he will serve as a leading example for Party members and inspire more artists to contribute to the socialist culture and the building of a strong cultural nation. Several comments also extended well wishes for his health and happiness.

INDIA WATCH

• PM Modi's Extensive Global South Tour Draws Attention in Chinese Media: An article published in Sina News has commented on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing 5-nation tour, calling it “his longest international trip in a decade”. The article heavily focuses on criticism received for these visits from Indian politicians. Citing Indian media, the article highlights that Indian companies have invested $2 billion in Ghana and plans to double bilateral trade by 2030. It further mentions that India also offered to share its digital payments expertise and seek mineral cooperation, as Ghana supplies 70 percent of India's imported gold. After Ghana, PM Modi is set to visit Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil for the BRICS Leaders' Meeting and Namibia. The article argues that beyond diplomatic outreach to the global South, a key objective is securing India's critical mineral supply chain, with active negotiations underway in South America and Africa. However, as per the article, the lengthy absence has drawn criticism at home for PM Modi. It notes that a prominent opposition leader criticized the Prime Minister for neglecting urgent domestic issues. It also mentions a comment by a politician from another opposition party who echoed this sentiment, criticizing the PM for wasting taxpayers’ money.

Prepared By

Maheshwar S Chhaunkar

Maheshwar S Chhaunkar has completed his Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History from Sri Aurobindo College, University of Delhi. He is currently working as an IT Assistant at CENJOWS. His areas of interest include India-China relations, Indo-Pacific affairs and Asian politics.